South

Hey Guys John Crumbley here! My Cousin, a few friends, and I have canoed the South River. We put in at the Bridge at Highway 20 and paddled to my cousin's lake house near Reasor's Marina on Lake Jackson. It was roughly a 30-35+ mile (10-13 hour total) trip and well worth it. During the dry Summer and Late Fall months (July-October) the water tends to be low around 2-4 ft. deep in some areas. We suggest going after a day or two of a good rain where 2-3 inches is expected. Mainly from Highway 20 until just before you get to the Highway 81 Bridge aka Snapping Shoals the water is shallow. Snapping shoals is a ton of fun and can be chaotic if you are an amateur. Our recomendation is after you have passed under the Bridge at Highway 81 start paddling to the right side of the river. There is a retaining wall or dam that at times can have lots of water flowing over it. The right side is recommended because you can pull out and get on a walking trail and bypass the shoals or you can do what we do and pick the canoe up over the dam and paddle through the shoals. If you have to get out of your P.W.C. the rocks can be very jagged and slippery do be careful. If you go to the right side down the shoals it will have lots of holes and rocks and after a good rain you can expect some rapids. The left side of Snapping Shoals is very modest and easy going however in any heavy rain situation these shoals can easily become class III and possibly a chance at being class IV rapids. There are also several large trees down on the left side as well. I have seen the South River carry Large Oaks Down it and even though its dangerous it makes for a wicked ride on Kayaks after a weeks worth of rain. After you pass Snapping Shoals the South River is pretty full quite and scenic from then on out and then you will travel under the GA Route 36 hwy bridge towards the main part of Lake Jackson. If you want to pull out before you get onto the main part of the lake there is a local marina on the Right side of the Lake/River after you pass under the 36 Bridge (I don't remember the name of it) and you should be able to get out there. Well Paddles Up and Safe Journeys!